The 7th Annual Brookline Youth Awards will be held Thursday, May 17 from 7-9 pm at the Coolidge Corner Theater. The event’s Principal Sponsors are BrooklineHub.com, the Town of Brookline, and the Coolidge Corner Theater. Nominations have been extended to March 17 and they can be submitted here.

The evening focuses on the special contributions of young people and features video interviews with our 12 Youth Award recipients as well as the presentation of this year’s Brookline Youth of the Year. There are two levels of awards, Brookline Youth Awards, and Brookline Recognition Awards.

Past award recipients have been recognized for their various achievements, courage overcoming adversity, or helping others do the same, displaying exceptional kindness, character, and generosity of spirit. Typical nominees are teens who volunteer their time in service to their community, display leadership in support of a cause, and/or show exceptional success, ingenuity, and creativity in their chosen pursuits.

In addition to honoring the outstanding achievements of Brookline’s teens, two adults are honored each year for their dedication to our young people.

The Ethel Weiss Service Award is presented every year to the Brookline businessperson who best exemplifies service, commitment, and passion toward Brookline’s young people. The award, instituted in 2014, is named after our first recipient, Ethel Weiss, who for 76 years was the hands-on owner and operator of the legendary Irving’s Toy and Card Shop; during which time she served, mentored and absolutely delighted Brookline’s young people. Past recipients have included Chobee Hoyand Dana Brigham.

The Roger Grande Social Justice Award was instituted in 2012 to an adult who best shows a path to Brookline’s young people in the area of social justice. The award was inspired by BHS teacher Roger Grande’s dedication his students, helping them launch numerous social justice clubs including the Brookline Literacy Partnership. Past recipients include Roger Grande, Kate Leslie, Paul Epstein,Pat Norlingand Rene Feuerman